New Spain: Spanish Colonies in the Americas

In the context of South American art, a motif that represents reflected light, often associated with divine or sacred elements.

A type of tunic worn by Inkan nobility, often made from camelid fiber or cotton, signifying their status and wealth.

Spanish military firearms (muskets) introduced to the Americas during the Spanish conquest. They were used for both defense and aggression.

The period in European history (16th-17th centuries) following the Protestant Reformation, marked by a strong Catholic response aimed at reaffirming Catholic doctrines and combatting Protestant influence.

A school of art based in La Paz, Bolivia, known for its unique style and contributions to the development of Baroque art in the Americas.

The first Viceroy of New Spain, commissioned the Codex Mendoza to help the Spanish monarch understand the Aztec culture.

The territory in the Americas under Spanish rule, characterized by the interaction and integration of Spanish and indigenous cultures.

A type of document created by the Aztecs, the Codex Mendoza was a pictorial history of the Aztec Empire, commissioned by the first Viceroy of New Spain, Antonio Mendoza.

The portrayal of angels in artworks, often representing divine protection and intervention, especially during the Catholic Counter-Reformation.

The cover page of a book, the Codex Mendoza's frontispiece aimed to provide a visual overview of the Aztec culture, showcasing their wealth, power, and respect for their gods.

The use of gold in artwork, signifying wealth, power, and sacredness, particularly evident in pre-Columbian and colonial art.

The Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, was founded on an island in Lake Texcoco and was a major center of power and culture.

The Aztec people, also known as the Mexica, were a powerful civilization that ruled over a vast empire in Mesoamerica before the Spanish conquest.

A visual representation or diagram, the frontispiece of Codex Mendoza uses a schematic diagram to depict the foundation of Tenochtitlan and its importance.

The Aztec civilization was known for its wealth, power, and prestige. This was reflected in the frontispiece of the Codex Mendoza, which highlighted these aspects.

The Aztec people held great respect for their gods, a fact reflected in the frontispiece of the Codex Mendoza, which prominently featured their deities.

A multi-layered cabinet, likely made in Goa, India, that traveled across the Indian Ocean to Manila, then to Mexico City. It features a mother-of-pearl double-headed eagle crest representing Spain's Habsburg dynasty and the Tagle family's coat of arms, showcasing the connectedness and diverse origins of colonial trade and artistic exchange.

The mixing of races and their offspring in a society formed by indigenous people, Africans, and Europeans.

A type of painting that depicts the social hierarchy of colonial societies, showcasing different gradations based on racial ancestry.

In Castas Paintings, Spanish ancestry was often depicted wearing lavish costumes, symbolizing a connection to civilizing forces and a higher status within the colonial hierarchy.

In Castas Paintings, Africans and Indigenous Americans were often depicted with respect, highlighting a perceived harmony and mixing of different social classes within the colonial context.

The influx of people from different regions to the Americas, driven by factors such as economic opportunities, religious freedom, escape from persecution, or seeking new lives.

A term used to describe the blending of different ethnic groups, cultures, and traditions in a new society, representing the diverse heritage of the Americas.

Free people of color, especially in French colonies, exemplified the diverse and multifaceted social structure of the Americas.